Phil joined Prisoners Abroad as a trustee in 2019. Throughout his career, he has championed the criminal justice sector through his love of radio; Phil co-founded the Prison Radio Association in 2006 and in 2009 launched National Prison Radio, the world’s first national radio station for prisoners. Phil stepped down as Chief Executive of the Prison Radio Association at the end of 2025 after almost two decades. As Phil looks to start the next chapter of his career, he has also come to the end of his trusteeship with Prisoners Abroad, so we asked him to reflect on the last seven years.

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One of the privileges of serving as a trustee is seeing an organisation from the inside. Over the past seven years, I've had the opportunity to do just that at Prisoners Abroad, and it has left me with enormous admiration for both the charity and the people behind it.

When I joined the board in 2019, it felt like a natural meeting point for several threads that had run through my own career. I had worked as a BBC broadcast journalist before spending two decades as CEO of the Prison Radio Association, the charity behind National Prison Radio. Alongside that, my academic background is in international development, and I am a co-founder of Prison Radio International, a global movement supporting projects that use radio to improve the lives of people in prison around the world.

Those experiences have taught me that, while justice systems differ enormously from country to country, our shared humanity does not.

Perhaps that’s why the work of Prisoners Abroad has always resonated so strongly with me.

It is the only organisation in the UK dedicated to supporting British citizens imprisoned overseas, the families waiting for them at home, and people returning to the UK after serving sentences abroad. If Prisoners Abroad didn't exist, this work simply wouldn't happen. It provides practical support, expert advice, advocacy and, above all, reassurance to people navigating some of the most difficult circumstances imaginable. It does so without judgement, recognising the humanity of every person it supports, regardless of their conviction or where in the world they are imprisoned.

Throughout my career, I've become increasingly convinced that communication matters. Information matters. Human connection matters. Hope matters.

Those aren't abstract ideas; they are often the things that help people navigate the darkest and most uncertain periods of their lives. One of the things I've come to appreciate most about Prisoners Abroad is the way those values are woven into everything the organisation does. Whether it's supporting someone in prison, helping an anxious family member back home, or walking alongside somebody as they rebuild their life after returning to the UK, the charity never loses sight of the person behind the circumstances.

Another thing that has struck me is the quality of the organisation itself. I've spent much of my career working alongside charities and NGOs, and I've served on a number of boards. I can honestly say that Prisoners Abroad stands out. The governance is thoughtful and rigorous, discussions are always centred on beneficiaries, and there is a genuine commitment – from trustees and staff alike – to doing things properly. For me, it is a model of best practice in charity governance. That is one of the reasons I leave with such confidence in the organisation's future.

As I step down from the board, I'm beginning a new chapter in my own career, pursuing opportunities as an actor and creative storyteller. On the face of it, that may seem like a very different path, but I look forward to continuing to explore the same questions that have always interested me: how we understand one another, how we build empathy, and how stories can help us see the humanity in people whose lives are very different from our own.

My time as a trustee has reinforced something I have long believed: compassion isn't about excusing people's actions. It's about recognising their humanity. Prisoners Abroad demonstrates that principle every single day through practical, often life-changing support for people who are isolated, vulnerable and too easily forgotten.

Serving as a trustee has been a privilege, and I find myself reflecting on how much I've gained from the experience. My overwhelming feeling is one of gratitude – not simply for the opportunity to have served on the board, but for everything I've learnt from seeing this remarkable organisation at work.

I have every confidence that Prisoners Abroad will continue changing lives for many years to come, and I hope that more people will discover, support and champion its work. The need for its work is as great today as it was when I joined the board in 2019.

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Being offered a lifeline can change everything. 

Prisoners Abroad translates human rights law into practical life-saving actions by providing prisoners access to vitamins and essential food, emergency medical care, freepost envelopes to keep in touch with home and books and magazines to help sustain mental health.

Can you help to support our life-saving work by donating today?

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